Cosmetic applicator



April 8, 1941. J. swim-z COSMETIC APPLICATOR Filed. June 230, 1939 Fla. 5

w T m mm ,m Mm W mm cator deposits on the face.

Patented Apr. 8, 1941 ilJl tiTli'. PATENT FFICE.

oosivrn'rrc arrticnron Ethelyn Janet Smith, Elyria, Ohio Application June so, 1939, Serial No. 252,243

(or. lea-78.5)

22 Claims.

This invention relates to cosmetics applicators and more particularly to an improved single means that serves to both carry and apply one or more cosmetics, such as powder, rouge and the like.

In the past conventional compacts or containers for cosmetics, have consisted of an outer shell of a material that was impervious to powder, such as metal or the like, and a separate applicator that rested on a small supply of powder inside of the shell. The applicator and the powder were accessible by the opening of a hinged cover that formed a part of the shell.

One of the common objections to these compacts that the present invention is designed to minimize is that not infrequently the cover of the compact becomes released accidently and the limited supply of powder, and sometimes the rouge also, escapes from the compact and becomes distributed thruout the interior of the rouge from the interior of the purse or pocket and from such other articles as may have been contained therein.

Another objection to the conventional cosmetics containers that the present invention is designed to minimize, is the'irregularity of the quantity of powder that the older type of appli- Two objectionable results commonly follow the use of the modern powder applicator.

When an overloaded applicator is struck against and is passed or rubbed over the face, the powder frequently is localized and appears as a white spot or in definitely distinguishable white lines, that disfigure the face by the presence of the unsightly and contrastingly glaring white smear, blotch or line. Due to the optical limitations of mirrors these blemishes are frequently imperceptible in the image that is reflected from the mirror of the compact altho they are perfectly perceptible to an observer.

The objection to the applicator that is overloaded With powderzbecomes decidedly distressing to the girl on attempting to powder her face when she is clothed in a dark outfit or in a colored ensemble. A cloud of the powder may fall from the applicator or her face and lodge on her dress. Because of the extreme fineness of the powder and because of the fact that certain brands of powder contain as an ingredient stearin, spermatici, gelatin, glycerin or even gum arable, or other wax like materials that assist in causing the powder to adhere to the skin, the powder on the dress enters into the interstices of the fabric and bonds itself there so that the process of dusting it off merely develops a smudge that is most embarrassing to the girl and that not infrequently causes the apparel to be unwearable until after it is dry cleaned.

Where a girls complexion and coloring is such that she finds it advisable to use a shade of powder or the like under the artificial light of evening that is different from that worn during the day, it has been necessary for her to have a separate compact for each shade of powder or cosmetic. A girl is very sensitive about her appearance and when she forgets to change compacts and is wearing the wrong cosmetic she is uncomfortable and ill at ease.

An object of the present invention is to provide a method of and a suitable single piece of equipment for both carrying and applying powder, rouge and the like, which Will not become accidently opened in the purse or pocket.

Another object is to provide an applicator having an application surface to which a cosmetic is supplied in substantially uniform distribution thruout its area and in sufficiently limited quantities so that a substantially uniform application of the cosmetic results, and so that the gravity loss of the cosmetic from the applicator surface is reduced to a minimum.

Another object is to provide a cosmetic container-applicator that may, if desired, be subdivided into a plurality of individual compartments in which different shades of cosmetics may be disposed substantially separately without their becoming objecticnably mixed with each other.

Another object is to provide a combination cosmetics container and applicator that is soft and comfortable to use, that may be kept clean at all times by being washed frequently without injury along with articles of apparel, and that is simply made, durable and lasting.

With the above and other objects in view that will be apparent to those who are familiar with the sort of articles considered and their rises from the following discussion, suitable illustrative embodiments of the invention are disclosed in the accompanying drawing wherein:

Fig. l is a plan view, with parts broken away and in section, of one form of the invention wherein'a plurality of removable and replaceable filters cause the powder to be distributed substantially uniformly over the applicator surface;

Fig. 2 is an edge elevation, with parts broken away and in section, of a multiple compartment compact that embodies the present invention and that makes provision for disposing day and evening powder or the like in the same compact;

Fig. 3 is an edge elevation, with parts broken away and in section, of a multiple compartment bellows or combination bellows and powder container compact wherein an apertured collapsible member is disposed inside of the compact, and that, on compression, emits air jets that carry powder thru the interstices of the applicator face of the compact;

Fig. 4 is an edge elevation, with parts broken away and in section, of a side opening form of the compact in which a powder distributing device may be removably disposed if desired;

Fig. 5 is an edge elevation, with parts broken away and in section, of the compact withacream or cake rouge compartment forming a part thereof;

Fig. 6 is an edge elevation, with parts broken away and in section, of the side opening compact having a hinged cover; and

Fig. '7 is an edge elevation, with parts broken away and in section, of the compact in a suitable envelope of thin rubber or the like, that may be used where desired to further minimize the loss of powder from the compact.

The container-applicator compact that illustrates the present invention comprises an applicator material I that contains an abundance of tiny, powder conducting apertures that are indicated at 2. The applicator material may or may not as desired, be surfaced with a soft pile or nap 3. The applicator material may consist of an open-back velour, buckram, felt, rubber, chamois, or other suitable powder conducting applicator means. The apertures in the applicator material may be the result of the particular manner in which the fabric is woven or may be disposed therein in any other desired manner of manufacture. The apertures are preferably determined by the fineness of the weave of the fabric and are-sufficiently numerous so that an even and uniformly controlled distribution of the powder 4 over the exposed surface of the applicator material is insured.

Suitable auxiliary distributing means, such as the fine apertured filters 5 and the coarse apertured filters 6, that are of paper, fine rubber, composition material or the like, may, if preferred, be removably disposed within the compact in any desired order and between the powder 4 and the inner surface of the applicator material.

The applicator material may be disposed on one side only of the compact, as is shown in Figs. 1, 4, 5 and 6 of the accompanying drawing, or it may be positioned in such a manner as to provide a plurality of compartments in the interior of the compact, as is shown in Figs. 2 and 3.

In the structure that is shown in Fig. 1, the applicator material I is secured to suitable powder impervious material I in any desired manner, as by the stitching 8, by a cement, or the like.

Any suitable means for permitting access into the interior of the compact may be provided. The flap l0 illustrates one of such means that opens thru the side of the compact and that is hinged to the powder impervious material I in a desired, manner as by the stitching I I. The flap I0 is releasably secured in its closed position by suitable means, as by the pair of mating snap fastener elements l2 or the like.

The compact may be closed by slide fastener types of closure means, such as are shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 4 of the accompanying drawing, if desired.

In the first of these constructions a plurality of the bead clasping clips [3 are positioned to slide longitudinally of the pair of beads l4 that define the mouth of the compact. The end clip 15 is immovably secured to the beads M and serves to anchor one end of the chain l6 along which the sliding clips l3 are spaced.

A plurality of individual compartments fon powder of different shades, such as the day powder H and the evening powder [8, or of powder and dust rouge or the like, are provided by suitable partition means, such as the circular diaphragm 19. The diaphragm I9 is preferably removably disposed within the compact and is made of any suitable material, such as fine, thin rubber or the like.

The diaphragm i9 is maintained in its distended condition in any suitable manner, as by being provided with the peripheral bead 20 that may or may not, as preferred, have the endless spring steel wire 2| embedded therein. The diaphragm makes substantially powder sealing engagement with the applicator material in any desired manner, as by having its peripheral edge closely pressed against the thread seam 22 that secures the two pieces of applicator material 23 and 24 together. Each compartment may or may not, as preferred, be provided with suitable powder distributing means, such as the filters 5 and 6 or the like.

In the construction that is shown in Fig. 3, the tape of hookless fastener elements 25 extends along part of the peripheries of the circular pieces of applicator material 26 and 21 as by being stitched thereto or the like. The fastener tape 25 is preferably provided with any desired form of powder sealing means, such as the rubber head 28 that forms a powder sealing mouth for the compact. The fastener elements are engaged or disengaged by operation of the finger tab 29. Suitable provision, such as the size and the distribution of the apertures 30 and 3| in the pieces of applicator material 26 and 21, respectively, or the like, provides for the controlled passage of powder therethru.

The compact may or may not, as desired, be provided with a suitable partition subdividing it into individual compartments, as by the use of the removable hollow rubber partition 32 that is shown.

The hollow partition 32 may, if desired, be a closed system that provides a cushion for the compact, or it may contain suitable pin hole apertures 33 thru which air or powder may be ejected by a bellows action when the partition is alternately compressed and released.

Where desired for the introduction of powder into the hollow partition, the mouth 34 may be provided. The mouth 34 may be closed in any desired manner, as by being of. the conventional spirally collapsed type used in tobacco pouches and the like. Where the compact is to be provided with a plurality of individual compartments, powder may be disposed within the compact on the apertured side of the partition 32 and another shade of powder, dust rouge or the like, may be positioned on the closed side of the partition.

The collapsible, hollow partition 32 may be used as a powder or rouge container-applicator, if so desired, apart from the applicator material envelope shown, as where his made of suitable material, such as very fine sponge rubber, rubberized silk, or the like.

fastener element tape 39, with its powder sealing rubber bead 40, is secured to suitable powder impervious material 4| that provides a cover for the compact. The compact may or may not, as preferred, contain suitable auxiliary powder distributing means, such as the filters 5 and 6, to assist the mesh apertures 42 in the control of the powder application.

The compact may be provided with individual compartments for cake or paste rouge, if desired.

In the construction thatis shown in Fig. 5, the applicator material 43 is secured in any suitable manner, as by the cement 44, stitching or the like, to the cap 45 of metal, a plastic or the like.

The applicator material 43 is adapted for controlling and substantially uniformly distributing the powder 46 thru suitable apertures that are indicated at 41, in a desired manner, as by the finenessof the mesh of the weave, or by the introduction of one or more filters or the like.

The cover 50 is operably secured to the cap 45 by suitable means, such as by the hinge 5| that may or may not, as preferred, contain a spring means that yieldingly holds the cover 50 in its closed position. Access into the rouge compartment in the cover 5B is provided in any desired manner, as by the preferably spring closed lid 52 that is secured to the compact cover 50 by the hinge 53 or the like. The rouge applicator 54 may be grasped by its finger tab 55 and rests on the rouge paste or cake 56 in the rouge compartment. The lid 52 may be plane or curved and polished to provide a mirror for the compact, if

desired.

Another form of the compact is shown in Fig. 6 of the drawing. In this construction the application material fl'l is suitably apertured at 58 to permit the powder 5? to pass therethru in a controlled manner. The application material 5'! is attached by cement or the like to the cap. as that may be of metal, a plastic or the like.

Powder may be introduced into the interior of the compact in any desired manner, as thru the outwardly flaring rim El of the cap 60. The cover is preferably spring hinged on the pin 63 to the cap fill and is shaped to make a snap sealing engagement with the rim 6| of the cap 60. The cap til may contain a rouge compartment or the like, if desired, and it may provide a plane or curved mirror for the compact, as preferred.

The free end 64 of the cover 62 is preferably inclined sufficiently to the surfaceof the cap so that a finger, rather than a nail, may be conveniently interposed therebetween for disengaging the inwardly inclined lower edge of the cover fit from its spring grip on the outwardly flaring rim M of the cap b5.

A suitable compact enclosing means, such as the container ('55 that is shown in Fig. 7, is provided in which the compact may be removably disposed. i

The container 65 serves to minimize the undesirable transfer of powder or rouge from the compact to articles that it might contact. The container may be made of any desired suitable material, such as a fabric, a thin extensible rubber, composition material or the like, The container preferably provides a continuous side wall and edge construction that will retain the compact securely within the container until such time as it shall be needed. The container may be conveniently removed from aboutthe compact by pulling the tabs 63 and 61 down on either side of the compact 68 sufficiently so that the compact may be slipped out of the container.

It is to be understood that the constructions that are disclosed and described herein are presented for the purposes of explanation and illustration and that various modifications in the devices and their parts may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

What I claim is:

l. A cosmetics applicator, comprising in combination, a porous resilient applicator material thru which a fine powder may pass in substantially uniform quantities thruout the surface area thereof providing one substantially fiat side of said applicator, anotherresilient applicator material thru which a fine powder may pass in substantially uniform quantities thruout the surface area thereof providing an opposite substantially fiat side of said applicator disposed in a plane that is substantially parallel to and spaced from the plane of said first mentioned porous material side of said applicator an ample distance to provide a powder housing compartment therebetween and said porous applicator sides being discontinuously joined together along the peripheral edges thereof, and an applicator mouth disposed along the discontinuous part of the edges of said two applicator sides and having rubber lip portions thru which powder may be introduced into said powder compartment and engaging each other substantially to retain said powder within said powder compartment.

2. A cosmetics applicator, comprising in combination, a porous resilient applicator material thru which a fine powder may pass in substantially uniform quantities thruout the surface area thereof providing one substantially flat side of said applicator, a non-porous resilient applicator material that substantially is impervious to the passage of fine powder therethru providing an opposite substantially flat side of said applicator disposed in a plane that is substantially parallel to and spaced from the plane of said porous ma-- terial side of said applicator an ample distance to provide a powder housing compartment therebetween and said porous applicator side and said impervious applicator side being discontinuously joined together along the peripheral edges thereof, and an applicator mouth disposed along the discontinuous part of the edges of said two applicator sides and having rubber lip portions thru which powder may be introduced into said powder compartment and engaging each other substantially to retain said powder within said powder compartment.

3. A powder applicator, comprising in combination, a porous powder applicator material providing a skin contact surface for the applicator, a plurality of apertured powder filters containing holes of a plurality of diameters disposed on said applicator material for the substantially uniform distribution of powder on said applicator material, a non-porous material secured to said porous material along their contacting peripheries, a closure. means disposed inwardly of the peripheral edge of and: releasably covering a powder admitting aperture in said nonporous material for the admission of powder between said non-porous material and the uppermost of said apertured filters, and means for securing said closure means to said non-porous material for minimizing the loss of powder therebetween.

4. A powder device, comprising in combination, a substantially powder porous applicating material providing an applicator surface for said device, another powder porous applicating material providing another applicator surface for said device, axially converging seam surfaces extending inwardly of and longitudinally of the periphery of said device, a diaphragm disposed inwardly of said device and dividing the interior of said device into a plurality of powder housing compartments, an edge of said diaphragm seating in said axially converging seam surfaces, and a part of one of said applicator materials movable to admit powder in a powder compartment between said diaphragm and one of said applicator materials.

5. A powder puff container, comprising a sheet rubber body portion of single thickness thruout its area and with a smooth peripheral edge of arcuate section having no radially projecting obstructions over an area in excess of a straight angle part of its periphery to provide a puff restraining shoulder yieldingly wedging said puff toward a closed portion of said container and away from a mouth portion opening thereinto thru which said puff may be inserted into said container, and a finger tab continuous with the side of said container.

6. A container-applicator compact, comprismg in combination, an applicator material apertured for the passing of a cosmetic therethru, and a plurality of pliable paper filters apertured substantially thruout the area thereof and underlying the applicator material to substantially the periphery thereof for distributing a cosmetic substantially uniformly over said applicator material.

7. A container-applicator compact, comprising in combination, an applicator material thru which a cosmetic may pass, a plurality of soft and pliable filters individually apertured with holes of increasing sizes away from said applicator material for effecting the substantially uniform distribution of a cosmetic over substantially the entire surface of said applicator material, and means for retaining said filters substantially adjacent to said applicator material.

8. A powder container, comprising in combination, an applicator material thru which a cosmetic may be made to pass, and a plurality of apertured soft paper filter sheets separately containing holes of decreasing sizes away from said applicator material and disposed inwardly of said powder container and substantially adjacent said applicator material for assisting in the substantially uniform distribution of the cosmetic over substantially the entire application area of said applicator material.

9. A container-applicator compact, comprising in combination, an apertured applicator material, a plurality of fine rubber sheet filters separately containing holes of a size different from the sizes of the holes in other sheet filters collectively disposed on said applicator material, an impervious material, means joining said applicator material with said impervious material to provide a cosmetic compartment therebetween, a flap overlying a cosmetic receiving aperture in said impervious material and having one edge of said flap joined to said impervious material to provide a flexible hinge therefor, and flap securing means comprising a member mounted on said flap and adapted for releasably engaging an associate member mounted on said impervious material whereby said flap may be releasably retained in its closed position over said aperture.

10. A compact, comprising in combination, two pieces of applicator material disposed in spaced substantially parallel relation with respect to each other forming parts of a container for cosmetics, and a partition disposed in spaced relation with respect to both of said pieces of applicator material and interposed therebetween for providing an individual cosmetic compartment on either side of said partition.

11. A compact, comprising in combination, two pieces of applicator material disposed in spaced relation with respect to each other providing a container for cosmetics, a partition spaced from both of said pieces of applicator material to provide an individual and separate cosmetics compartment on either side of said partition, and resilient spring bead means maintaining said partition in a distended condition.

12. A powder container, comprising in combination, a pair of applicator materials spaced from each other to provide a compartment therebetween, a partition substantially subdividing said compartment into lesser compartments in which a plurality of cosmetics may be substantially individually disposed, means sealing part of the junction of said partition with said applicator materials, a compact mouth opening into the individual compartments, and means on closing said compact mouth for substantially sealing the junction of the partition with the applicator materials against the undesired passage of powder therethru.

13. A compact, comprising in combination, an applicator material forming a part of a container for cosmetics, and a hollow closed system air cushioned balloon partition spaced from said applicator material to provide a cosmetics compartment therebetween and imparting a pleasantly resilient feel to said compact when it is applied to the face.

14. A compact, comprising in combination, two pieces of applicator material providing individual applicator surfaces for said compact, a cushioning hollow bellows partition interposed between said applicator surfaces to provide a separate powder storing compartment on either side of said partition in said'compact and one side of said partition being apertured for directing an air stream against one piece of said applicator material on the mechanical compression of said compact.

15. A compact, comprising in combination, two pieces of applicator material providing applicator surfaces for said compact, a hollow partition for being removably disposed in said compact and having one face apertured for the passage of air therethru, and a spirally collapsed mouth in the other face of said partition thru which a cosmetic may be introduced into said partition.

16. A compact, comprising in combination, a cosmetics container, an applicator material forming a part of said cosmetics container, a closure member providing means for introducing a cosmetic into said cosmetics container and having a. spring pressed hinge interposed of said closure member so that said lid opens in a direction that is opposite to the direction in which said closure member opens.

17. A cosmetics container, comprising a sheet rubber hollow bellows apertured for the passing of air therethrough, anda sheet rubber spirally collapsing bellows mouth for introducing a cosmetic into said bellows.

18. A cosmetics container assembly, comprising in combination, a compact, and a compact container peripherally shouldered to yieldingly grip said compact and restrain it from separation from said compact container and made of extensibly resilient material adapted for retaining said compact therein and said container having the greater portion of its peripheral edge of smoothly arcuate section without projecting portions.

19. A cosmetics applicator, comprising in combination, a porous resilient applicator material thru which a fine powder may pass in substantially uniform quantities thruout the surface area thereof providing one substantially flat side of said applicator, a nonporous resilient material that is substantially impervious to the passage of fine powder therethru providing an opposite substantially fiat side of said applicator disposed in a plane that is substantially parallel to and spaced from the plane of said porous material side of said applicator a sufficient distance to provide a powder housing compartment therebetween, a peripheral edge of said applicator that continues from the peripheries of both of said flat sides of said applicator so that it is disposed substantially normally thereto and having a slit disposed therein to permit the positioning of powder within said powder housing compartment, and a pair of rubber lips defining said slit in said peripheral edge of said applicator that are yieldingly maintained substantially in abutting relation with each other by the resilience of the material of which said applicator sides are made.

20. A cosmetics applicator, comprising in combination, a porous applicator material disposed in substantially the form of a shallow cup, a rim of said cup that extends upwardly from said applicator material to provide an upstanding peripheral edge thereof, a powder sealing rubber bead extending substantially continuously along and secured to a part of said cup rim, a slide fastener tape on which a. plurality of slide fastener elements are mounted and extending substantially continuously along and secured to the same part of said cup rim to which said rubber bead is secured and disposed outwardly thereof, a substantially powder impervious cover for said applicator and that is attached at a part of its edge to said rim of said cup, a powder sealing rubber head that extends along and is attached to a part of the peripheral edge of said cover, a slide fastener tape on which slide fastener elements are attaohed and that extends along and that is secured to the same peripheral edge of said cover to which said rubber bead is attached and that is disposed outwardly thereof, and a finger tab that is disposed to slidably engage the said slide fastener elements for opening and closing the cover of said cosmetics applicator so that a charge of powder may be introduced into said cosmetics applicator and substantially retained therein.

21. A compact, comprising in combination, a cosmetics container, an applicator material forming a part of said cosmetics contain-er, a closure member providing means for introducing a cosmetic into said cosmetics container and having a spring pressed hinge interposed therebetween to yieldingly maintain said closure member in closed position sealing an aperture in said cosmetics container to minimize the loss of material therefrom, a rouge compartment in said closure member, and a spring pressed hinge positioned on the side of said closure member so that said lid may be opened independently of the opening of said rouge compartment closure member.

22. A compact, comprising in combination, a powder pervious application material having a substantially fiat surface and upturned along its edges to provide a shallow cup construction capable of containing powder therein, a rim portion of said application material cup forming the peripheral edge thereof, a cap of substantially firm construction to the peripheral edge of which the rim of said application material is substantially ETHELYN JANET SMITH. 

